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Rangers D-man Skjei flying under Calder radar

Rookie Brady Skjei racks up assists and learns the ropes after standout career at Jake Gardiner’s alma mater.

Rangers rookie defenceman Brady Skjei, a product of the University of Minnesota and the U.S. development program, arrived in the NHL with the skill set to make an immediate impact. (Bruce Bennett / GETTY IMAGES)

You can add Rangers defenceman Brady Skjei to the already long list of NHL rookies who are making this one of the most memorable Calder Trophy races in NHL history.

Skjei isn’t mentioned in the same breath as Toronto’s Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander. Nor is he on par with the Jets’ Patrik Laine. He is, however, one of only two blue-liners in the league’s top 10 in rookie scoring while finding his way defensively with the Blueshirts.

At six-foot-three and 211 pounds, he’s already in some elite company in franchise history. With 26 assists, he’s just the third Rangers rookie defenceman in the last 30 years to post at least 25 — joining Brian Leetch (1988-89) and Michael Del Zotto (2009-10).

New York’s first-round pick, 28th overall, in 2012 sits second in assists among all Rangers blue-liners, behind captain Ryan McDonagh, to go with a pair of goals heading into Thursday night’s game against the Leafs.

It hasn’t been easy, of course, and the 22-year-old is facing the same reality all first-year players do — trying to learn from your mistakes, and especially how to put them behind you.

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“It’s definitely a different style of hockey in pro from college,” said Skjei, who starred at the University of Minnesota before he was drafted. “You’re learning from your mistakes. Learning is the number one thing.”

The Rangers’ structure — on and off the ice — relies on solid veterans such as McDonagh, Dan Girardi and Kevin Klein, all of whom have guided Skjei through the tough times this season. Former Ranger Jeff Beukeboom is also a part of the coaching staff, and Skjei mentions him frequently as a mentor.

Like Matthews, Marner and the other Calder favourites, though, Skjei’s skills, maturity and hockey sense are already polished enough to make an impact in the NHL.

“I played with Auston Matthews at the world championships in Russia last year,” said Skjei, who went through the U.S. development program two years ahead of Matthews.

“I knew how much talent Auston had — you could see it right away — but he had a maturity level for the NHL, and I think that’s important. There’s a lot of young talent out there and I think guys are playing a lot of hockey from a young age, so they’re used to a lot of things.”

Skjei often looks up fellow Minnesotan Jake Gardiner to arrange off-season workouts and the camaraderie does nothing but add to his hockey experience. Leafs defenceman Gardiner is also a product of the University of Minnesota, which has had coach Don Lucia at the helm of the Golden Gophers for 18 seasons.

Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets, the other defenceman in the top 10 in rookie scoring, is also the product of a stable university program — at Michigan, coached by Doug Brown, the former NHL winger whose approach includes a football mentality, where hockey players are taught to see the ice like like a quarterback searching for open receivers.

Brown’s influences include his father, who was a math teacher and football coach, and hall of fame hockey coach Scotty Bowman, who also encouraged players to think outside the boundaries of their positions.

Skjei’s uncle and grandfather were college football players, but he opted for a hockey career after playing quarterback in high school in his hometown of Lakeville, Minn.

“I played a lot of football . . . quarterback back home, but I always knew hockey was my first love,” Skjei said.

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